Art History: What to Expect

The Art History major at Carolina will give you a broad knowledge of Western art and the cultures that generate it. Through your coursework, you will develop skills in theory, research, analysis, and criticism. The Art History program offers courses in the areas of ancient, medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, modern, American, Asian, and African art. In addition, surveys and special-topics courses in art history are offered on a regular basis. All courses are taught by faculty with graduate assistants serving as tutorial leaders. You can gain additional experience through research and internship opportunities.

The following courses fulfill some of the course requirements for a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Art History:

Enhancing your Experience

Study Abroad allows you to earn academic credits toward your USC degree while seeing the world! Overseas study can complement any academic program or major. You may also choose to intern, volunteer, or conduct research abroad. You are encouraged to visit the Study Abroad Web site for more information on opportunities to broaden and extend your knowledge and perspectives. Student Organizations can be instrumental in helping you adjust to life on campus and network within your field. The University of South Carolina has a family of nearly 300 student organizations. Getting involved in an organization that interests you can help you network, meet new friends, and develop leadership skills. You can also seek out volunteer opportunities that relate to your major. Find a student organization on campus that interests you!Graduate School is one of many possibilities following graduation. Art History majors often go on to pursue graduate programs in Art Studio, Art History, and Media Arts.Departmental Scholarships: The Art Department awards a variety scholarships each year.

Internship and Research Opportunities

Internships can be an important asset to your overall educational experience. Internship experiences often help you confirm your career interests, give you hands-on experience in a professional setting, help build your resume, reinforce what you’ve learned in class and can often lead to full-time employment. Likewise, pursuing professional research opportunities as an undergraduate student can also help enrich your academic experience while at the University. As an undergraduate student, you can work closely with faculty research mentors and explore a discipline that interests you. Both internship and research opportunities help you build a competitive edge in the job market.

As a USC student you will have numerous resources at your disposal to assist you with locating internship and research opportunities. The USC Career Center is the central location at USC for assisting students with internship preparation and finding an internship. In addition, be sure to visit your academic department as many programs offer supplemental internship guidance specific to your major. The Office of Undergraduate Research assists all USC undergraduates by providing research and scholarly experiences in their chosen fields.

The USC Career Center offers numerous resources which provide more information about career opportunities for students in this major. Once admitted, a Career Development Coach
is available to help you assess your interest areas, make decisions about your career path, and identify the experiences and skills that will help you accomplish your goals. Spur Connections will help you locate mentors from among USC alumni, employers and community members who can provide insights based on their careers and experiences. Early planning and preparation are keys to success.

About the Department of Art

The Department of Art boasts an 85,000-square-foot facility designed specifically for the study and creation of the visual arts. The department offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in four major artistic disciplines: Art Education, Art History, Art Studio, and Media Arts. Our faculty members possess national and international reputations in their areas of expertise and are a cohesive group of cutting-edge professionals who have dedicated their lives to art and its teaching. The Department of Art is in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Points of Pride

The University of South Carolina Department of Art is the largest and most comprehensive art department in the state.

Our facilities include extensive studio space, a slide library of more than 150,000 artworks, and the Huntington Gallery, a department exhibition area for students and faculty.

We sponsor a Students’ Annual Art Sale at the end of each fall semester, and an annual art auction of student and faculty work.